Electrical system



Oct. 21, 1930,

D.- c. PRINCE 1,779,332

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Filed Aug. 23, 1926 Inventor:

David 0. Prince y His Attorney.

Patented Oct. 21 i930 w UN ITED fSTATE S PATEN 2m Devin o. rumcnfor scirnuncmnr, NEW YORK assreivoa T GENERAL m M a commune CORPORATION or unwroarr ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Application filed August 23, 192a- Serial No. 131,017.

My inventionrelates to electrical systems wherein power is transmitted through. a space discharge deviceconnected between circuits operated under different electrical conditions, and has for its principal object method whereby the relation between the electrical conditions of such cireuits'may be, readily controlled and maintained. l

tween-the frequencies or the other electrical conditions of two circuits interconnected through a space discharge devicej- In many of these arrangements, this relation is maintained by means comprising a grid arranged to control theftransmission of current be? tween the cathodetiand anodesof. the space discharge device. :My improved apparatus is similar in some respects to the aforesaid arrangements but ,difiers therefromin that the circuits are interconnected through a space; discharge :device which need not be providedwi'th a gridandfin that means comprisingan electrical valve are provided for ensuring that the proper relation between --the electricaliconditions not the circuits is maintained.

My' invention will be better understood so from the following description when considered in connection with. the accompanying.

drawingand' itsscope will be pointed out in the, appended claims. a g The drawing illustrates {anv apparatus wherein my invention is utilized for the pur-' pose of transmitting power between alter: nating and direct current circuits. his apparatus comprises direct current terminals 1 and-alternating current ktellmlnals 2 'which'iare interconnected; through means illustrated as a smoothing reactor 13; i-

a transformer4, electrical valves :5' and 6 and a space discharge device 7'. :The valves 5 and 6 are preferablyofithe-niagneiso;

strictive typedisclosed by Letters Patentiof A; W. Hull, No; 1,523,778. Asfindica'tedby the drawing, the valve 5 comprisesa'cathode V11 surrounded by a'cylindrical'anode 12 and the valve ti comprisesacathode '13sur'rounded by a cylindricalanodel i V It will: be observed that the transformer :to'the alternating current terminals 2" and the provision of an improved apparatusand with a winding 10 which has itsend terminals connected through current transformers-25 and 26 tothe cathodes l1 and '13 of valves15 and 6. The space discharge device 10 various: arrangements have been propos'edfor maintaining a desired relatlonbe 7 comprises a ,vaporizable cathode 15, a starting electrode 16,oan exciting electrode 17 and main anodes 1 8 and 19 which: are connected to. the end terminals of the winding, ;10

through current transfo'rmers25 and 26 and thejcathodes l1, andl3. A source 20)and switch 21:1nayqbe'provided for initiating operationof therapparatusw a,

-.;'1he :f-requency of the current supplied through the alternating current. terminals 2 of the alternating current ,circuit.

' In the operation of systemsof the type described, it isanecessary for efficient and satisfactory operation that current should be allowed to start through oneanode of the space discharge? device 1 before, it is ,com-

pletely interrupted inthe anode ,from which the current is'beingtransferred. It'is also desirable that the transfer of current from one ano'de to anothershouldoccur before the potentials of these anodes, become" equal.

These; results are producedby means comprising' the capacitors 7.123 r and 2a whichlare connectedfthrough the transformers 25 and 26 to theterminals of the winding 10 in" series relation with cathodes of valvesi5 and 6 andithe anodes ofdevice 7. a a :As set forth in the-aforementioned Letters ing current transmittedthrough the cathodes new 13; {Th-us. assuming thatagiven voltage is applied between the cathode 13 and the current is transmitted through the valve 6' until;:;the magnetic field, "produced, by the r cathode; heating current is sufiiciently strong Patent; the conductivity of the valves 5 and i 6-:is dependent on the magnitude of the heatto deflect the electrons from the anode. When this occurs, the circuit through the valve 6 is interrupted. Opening of the valve is produced by decrease in the strength of the cathode heating current and magnetic field.

The-heating current of cathodes 1.1- and.13 is started either bythe source 20 or bycurrent supplied through the alternating, current. terminals 2 and isthereafter supplied from the winding 10* which is induct'ively related to the winding 8 and is connected" at a point intermediate its end terminals through. a.

ground connection to the cathode 15. As previously indicated, the frequency at. whiclnthe current is transferred between the two halves of the winding 8 is dependent on the adjustment. of the capacitor 22.

Suppose a source of. positive direct current potential to be attachedlat terminall and the-pliaseof' the alternating receiving circuit attached. toltermi'nals 2 to be such that the right hand end. terminals of winding 8-"is positively charged,v current is then transmitted from theleftend of winding 8 through anode 12 tolcatho'de'll where it divides one part passingto ground through anode 18 of device 7'- andithe otherpart passing to ground through winding 10; Due to the division of this current andito thefact that the'current itselfis relatively small, no magnetic field is set up s-ufficient to render device 5 non-conducting. At the sametimetheright end-terminal of winding 10 is positively charged by indhction fronrvvindingsi and 9, and-current from: it passes through; current transformer 26, cathode 13, anode 19 to ground; This current traverses cathode 13', thus l establishing the magnetic field which-renders valve (hnonconducting. i

As t'he phase of the'volt'age in windings 8; 9 and 10 progresses; the current through fila' ment 13 dies down until it falls below the value necessary to render device 6- non-conducting: Current thenibeginsto flow from the right end terminal: of: winding '8 through anode 1% to cathode 13'i1r which it divides; flowing to groundv by winding 10 and-device 7. Sincethe total cur-rent is rendered nearly constant byinductance 3, current through device-ifallsas it rises through device-6;. Gurrent IlOW bGglIIS to flow from the left hand terminal of winding 10 through filament 11, thus rendering device 5 non-conductin Suitable advance in phase-of the'cathode current is obtained by. voltages built'up' across capacitors 223 and 24' inductively connected to the" devices- 5 and 6 I through transformers 25and 26: The further operation of the apparatus will be 'readilg'v understood in view offthefoiegoingillustration.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated an'dde'scribed herein has been selectet forthe purpose oi: clearlyi setting forth the principles-involved; It": will; be apparent, llowevergthatthe invention is susceptible of being modified to meet the diiferent conditions encountered in its use and I therefore aim to cover by the appended claims all modifications within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and. desire to secure by LettersPatentof the United States, is

1. The combination of alternating and direct current terminals, and means comprisillgfifi space discharge device provided witlia cathode and anode, a cathode-anode circuit including said space discharge device and comprising said direct current terminals and a magneto stnictive element connected in series with said anode, means associated with said circuit arranged to produce a voltage which varies in. accordance with the anode potential of said space discharge device, means to transfer power. between said: last named means and said alternating current I terminals, and means responsive toithe cathode-anode current in said circuit. for control.- ling the magneto-strictive cfiect'of said: element. -fi

2.. The combination of alternating'and direct current terminals, andmeans comprising aspace discharge device providediwith-a cathode andi anode, a cathode-anode circuit-in eluding said-space discharge device and.comprising said direct current terminals and an electrical valve connected in series with: said anode, means associated-.with said: circuit arranged to produce a voltage which varies in accordance with the anode potentiali'oflsaid space discharge device, means totransfer power between said last. named means and saidalternating currentteiminals, and means arranged to control the. operation of. said valve in accordance with the'cathode-anod current in said circuit 7 3. The combination of; alternating and'direct current. terminals, and means compris ing a space discharge device provided with a' cathode and anode, a cathode-anode circuit including said space discharge device and comprising. said. direct current terminals and a valve having-a; cathode and. an anode connected in series with. said. anode of. said discharge device, a transformer connected in said circuit arranged to produce a voltage which varies in accordance with, the cathodeanode current in said circuit, means to-transfer. powerbetween said transformer'and .said alternatingg'current terminals, and means: in.- terconnected with. saidtransformer for supplying cathode heating. current to said valve.

4. The combination of alternating and direct current terminals, and means comprisinga space discharge. device providedwith a: cathode and anode, a cathode-anode circuit. including-said. space discharge device and comprising said 'direct. current terminals'and a. valve having a. cathode and. an anode connected: in. series with; said anode of said space discharge device, means associs ated with said circuit arranged to produce a voltage which varies in accordance with the anode potential of said space discharge device, means to transfer power between said last named means and said alternating current terminals, means interconnected with said voltage producing means for supplying cathode heating current to said valve, and phase control means connected in circuit with said voltage producing means and said cathode of said valve.

5. The combination of alternating and direct current terminals, and means comprising a space discharge device provided with a cathode and anode, a cathode-anode circuit including said space discharge device and comprising said direct current terminals and v a valve having a cathode and an anode connected in series with said anode of said space discharge device, means associated with said circuit arranged to produce a voltage which varies in accordance with the anode potential of said space discharge device, means to transfer power between said last named means and said alternating current terminals, means connected with said voltage pro-- ducing means for supplying cathode heating current to said valve, and acapacitor interconnected with said cathode heating current suppl means.

6. 'ihe combination of a pair of alternating and apair of direct current terminals, and means comprising a-transformer provided with one winding connected between said pair of of alternating current terminals and with another winding connected at a point intermediate its end terminals to one of said direct current terminals, atplurality of magneto-strictive elements, a space discharge device provided with anodes each connected to a difierent oneof said end ter minals through a diiierent one of said magneto-strictive elements, and means arranged to control the cathode heating currents of said magneto-strictive elements in accordanoe with the anode potentials of said space discharge device. 1

7. The combination of diiierent pairs of terminals, and means comprising a transformer provided with one winding connected between one of said pairs and with another winding connected at a" point intermediate.

its end terminals to one terminal of another of said pairs, a plurality of electrical valves,

a space discharge device provided with an between one of said pairs and with another winding connected at a point intermediate its end terminals to one terminal of another of saidpairs, a plurality of electrical valves, a space discharge device provided with anodes each connected to a different one of said end terminals through a difierent one of said odes each connected to a difierent one of said end terminals through a difierent one of said pairs of 

